The Wayne & Garfield County Insider June 6, 2024

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Loa • Fremont • Lyman • Bicknell • Teasdale • Torrey • Grover • Fruita • Caineville • Hanksville Panguitch • Panguitch Lake • Hatch • Antimony • Bryce • Tropic • Henrieville • Cannonville • Escalante • Boulder

Corner Post Media, P.O. Box 105, Escalante, UT 84726

Thursday, June 6, 2024

Intermountain Health Ranked #1 in the Nation

by Fortune Magazine for 2024

SALT LAKE CITY Intermountain Health has been ranked the top large health system in the nation by Fortune magazine and PINC AI, as a part of their annual evaluation and rankings of the nation’s best health systems for 2024.

This is Intermountain Health’s second consecutive year on the prestigious list—and the first time the health system has been ranked number one.

The Fortune magazine analysis found that if all health systems in the United States performed like Intermountain Health and leading systems on the list, it would result in 220,000 fewer patient deaths and 196,000 fewer patients experiencing complications during their hospital stays.

“I’m beyond proud of our entire team of caregivers who have put in the Intermountain Health Cont'd on B4

Give Your Mailman a Wave

Tracy Sidwell nears 30 years as the U.S. Postal Service Mail Carrier for Garfield County

by Ian Marynowski

Ian Marynowski

"I deliver everywhere in Garfield County except for Ticaboo and Antimony," said Tracy Sidwell of Panguitch, Utah. He has been the U.S. Postal Service's contract mail carrier in the area for almost 30 years.

He runs his route on Highway 12 six days a week throughout the year transporting mail, freight, auto parts, blood and medical supplies, the newspaper and more.

GARFIELD CO. - The U.S. Post Office is a defining feature of towns in the rural west. Bryce Canyon City, Tropic, Henrieville, Cannonville, Escalante

Forestry, Fire & State Lands Expands Wildfire Aviation Program

Courtesy Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands

Members of the new Diamond Fork Helitak crew.

The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands is expanding its wildfire aviation program to include a helitack program to better assess and address active wildfires within the state.

SALT LAKE CITY The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands is expanding its wildfire aviation program to include a helitack program to better assess and address active wildfires within the state. The new crew will be called the Diamond Fork Helitack and stationed at the Spanish Fork Airport.

“Adding this helitack crew is the next logi-

Issue #1566

insiderutah.com

cal step in expanding our aviation capabilities within the Division,” said Mike Melton, Deputy State Fire Management Officer for Aviation. “This is our third contracted helicopter. Adding this aircraft and crew augments our heavy lift aircraft capabilities by getting boots on the ground quickly Helitack Crew Cont'd on B4

REGIONAL WEATHER FORECAST FOR SOME BUT NOT ALL REGIONS REPRESENTED IN OUR NEWSPAPER COVERAGE AREA

and Boulder wouldn’t be considered real towns if it weren’t for their offices.

As much as the post office might make a town, it is the courier who links them all

together. For the past 30 years in Garfield County, that courier has been Tracy Sidwell.

“I have hauled the mail, I’ve hauled freight,

**Weather is subject to Change

UTAH / NEVADA In efforts to strengthen local resilience against the growing threat of wildfires, six grants totaling over $8.9 million dollars will be awarded to at-risk communities across Utah and Nevada.

"The Biden-Harris administration is putting historic resources into efforts to confront the wildfire crisis, which is threatening people, communities and resources across the nation,” said Deputy Agriculture Secretary Xochitl Torres Small.

“The Community Wildfire Defense Grants are just one of many ways we are helping communities adapt to larger, more complex and more frequent wildfires.” The grants total $250 million, nationwide to assist is safeguarding homes, businesses, and infrastructure.

"These grants not only address today's chal-

Tracy Sidwell

Grants

Cont'd on B2

Cont'd on A2

BLM Issues Construction Underway on Loa Fish Hatchery; Rebuild to Be Completed in 2027 Decision on Challenged 2018 Oil & Gas Leases in Utah

PRICE - The Bureau of Land Management announced a decision on Thursday, May 30, to reaffirm 51 oil and gas leases in Emery County. Due to a legal challenge and settlement agreement, the BLM reconsidered 59 leases issued from BLM’s March and December 2018 competitive oil and gas lease sales in the Price Field Office.

As part of the settlement agreement, the BLM completed a supplemental environmental assessment and public comment period.

Oil & Gas Leases Cont'd on B4

Courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Construction on the new Loa Fish Hatchery is underway, and an event was held Thursday to allow local residents, legislators, county commissioners, angling organizations and other groups to learn more about the project and construction timelines.

LOA - Construction on the new Loa Fish Hatchery is underway, and an event was held Thursday, May 30, to allow local residents, legislators,

county commissioners, angling organizations and other groups to learn more about the project and construction timelines.

During the 2023 leg-

islative session, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources received the necLoa Hatchery Cont'd on A6

UPCOMING EVENTS...

Panguitch Quilt Walk Festival

Fort Desolation Fest

Quiltwalk.org

Cougar Ridge Resort

June 5-8

THURS. JUNE 6 - WED. JUNE 12

Partly cloudy and warm, with highs from the high 70s to the high 80s; lows in the high 40s and low 50s. Winds variable from 8 to 13 mph.

I’ve hauled kids, auto parts, hauled blood from the clinic and taken the groceries

USDA FS Grants Boost Wildfire Resilience in Utah/Nevada

In early June, the world of leaf and blade and flowers explodes, and every sunset is different.

—John Steinbeck

June 6 - 8

ALL content for THE WAYNE & GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER MUST BE submitted by FRIDAY AT NOON to be included in the following Thursday edition of the paper.

BOXHOLDER

NONPROFIT US POSTAGE PAID RICHFIELD, UTAH PERMIT No. 122

The Insider

A2

June 6, 2024

News from Wayne County The Cowboy

by Adus F. Dorsey II (and now outside) is casual and friendly. It is a good place to meet new residents to the area that have sometimes been living here for five years or more without getting out, and then there is the occasional visitor to the area that is surprised to find a welcoming place to taste test hard cider and to stop and shop.

Down county—Caineville/Hanksville and below the Reef—it is full on summer, with daytime temps already in the 80s and 90s, which is just the way they like it down there.

When they come up-county, it is easy to see who they are, as they all have farmer’s tans and are buying dryer sheets (to keep the bugs away) and cases of Mountain Dew at the Dollar Store.

Up-county, it is true that folks are still cautiously easing into spring and constantly consulting the annual Farmers Almanac before they dare take their tomato plants outside.

Weather patterns from each end of Wayne County can often range from sleet and snow in Fremont, to near Death Valley temps on the Dirty Devil. It is sad that Barbara Ekker of Hanksville isn’t still alive as she could predict the daytime temps in the middle of May as far away as Fish Lake

and the Green River with amazing accuracy. Barbara Ekker was so weather accurate that clouds would suddenly appear as if on command. Barbara was so good that there were times that KSL Channel 5 News would call to consult with her before their evening broadcast.

Cowboys, horse trailers and semis with cow haulers are on the move in Wayne County. Best to be on good behavior when you see them in your rear view mirror; they are on a mission, and they mean business. It is that time of year when grazing goes from the desert to the mountains, and it is a monumental shift in attitude, and altitude, to get the animals where they need to go. It is not uncommon to hear the jangle of spurs and to smell the aroma of leather just about everywhere you go this time of year.

To encourage a herd of cows out of the desert for the journey to the mountains is a monumental task that requires steely nerves, a good pair of gloves, a broke-in pair of boots, and a meal you can eat right out of your saddle bags, and they can have a sandwich in one hand and a rope and reins in the other.

A cowboy on the range is a cowboy in heaven, es-

pecially in Wayne County.

Wayne County has some of the most diverse and dangerous terrain there is in the west, and you best know where you are going when you enter a canyon where cows tend to hide.

On the desert or in the mountains, horse and rider have to know one another, and be best friends and confidants, so they can share secrets and trust one another. In Wayne County, it is often the case that it is only the cowboys that will go into places not visited since the ancient ones roamed the countryside in search of something to eat or a place to climb into or get out of the weather. And just as important, it is the cowboy that knows where not to go, the places the unknowing and foolhardy like to attempt to go and jeopardize the safety of others that willingly volunteer to go in and try and get them out alive.

If you or someone you know is coming to Wayne County to recreate, make sure to put out your campfire, pick up after yourselves, and leave it like you found it. The deserts and the mountains in and around Wayne County are delicate, so delicate that the smallest intrusion and interruptions can last a lifetime. Please, respect it.

Grants: In efforts to strengthen local resilience against the growing threat of wildfires, six grants totaling over $8.9 million dollars will be awarded to at-risk communities across Utah and Nevada.

Grants Cont'd from A1

lenges, but also craft a safer, more resilient tomorrow," emphasized Intermountain Region Fire Director Benjamin Newburn. "They provide essential funding for community wildfire protection plans and fuels reduction projects, and highlight collaboration in addressing the wildfire crisis across the landscape.”

Channeled through the Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program, the grants will enhance community preparedness and reduce wildfire risks through the following projects:

Community Wildfire Protection Plans Initiatives like the Shivwits Reservation Community Wildfire Protection Plans (UT) and the Lander County Community Wildfire Protection Plans Update (NV) underscore the importance of tailored strategies for at-risk communities.

Salt Lake City's Community Wildfire Protection Plans Plan Revision (UT) and Storey County Community Wildfire Protection Plans Update and Modernization (NV) demonstrate the necessity of revising plans to reflect evolving wildfire risks and prioritize community engagement.

Collaborative Fuels Reduction Projects The Moab Valley Fire Hazard Reduction Project (UT) and Duck Creek Basin Project Implementation (NV) exemplify collaborative efforts to reduce hazardous fuel loads and protect structures, enhancing community resilience.

These projects represent a multi-faceted approach to wildfire management, emphasizing proactive planning, community engagement, and collaborative action to safeguard lives, property, and natural resources from the growing threat of wildfires.

—U.S. Forest Service

Insider

The

WAYNE CO. - The 2024 Memorial Day weekend crowds in Wayne County were of epic proportions. For the casual observer, and those that forgot to stock up on groceries, it was like Fox News announced another solar eclipse or that the Fort Desolation Fest folks showed up to put on a surprise performance. Torrey Main Street and Highway 24 near Hickman Bridge and Grand Wash were parking lots.

There were some people that chose to show back up in Wayne County for Memorial Day weekend that had not been to the place since their family reunion in the 60s, when Aunt Agnes and Uncle Don got in a food fight over the last of cousin Margaret’s potato salad.

There were lines so long at the burger joints, at the Chuckwagon Deli, and at the fifteen food trucks parked along Main Street that it was rumored that at least two couples fell in love—and three more threatened divorce.

On the back streets of Torrey, it was an ATV rental Motocross competition to see who could get from one end of town to the other the fastest. There were bonus points for pedestrians, dogs and deer.

Now that free camping spots have found their way onto every web site known to man, the Beas Lewis Flats on BLM land, east of Torrey, looks like Sam’s Town in Vegas every weekend. Ain’t nobody seeing dark skies out there for all the campfire smoke.

On the lighter side of things, the locally sponsored Etta Place Cidery, west of Torrey, “Stitch and B*tch” event on Friday afternoons at 3 p.m. has turned into quite the popular event. Participants are encouraged to bring some sort of uncompleted stitching project or a particular casual and less controversial subject to discuss with fellow attendees that are seeking some sort of conflict or personal resolution and possibly just some help saving an exorbitant amount in therapy fees.

The atmosphere inside

P.O. Box 105 Escalante, UT 84726 435-826-4400 email snapshot@live.com Publisher: Erica Walz Layout & Graphic Design: Emily Leach Reporter: Tessa Barkan Reporter: Amiee Maxwell Reporter: Kadi Franson Reporter: Ian Marynowski Reporter: Jaynie Connor Reporter: Nancy Goude Payroll: Trudy Stowe

Local columnists:

Mack Oetting - FYI Panguitch The Insider is a weekly community newspaper delivered each Thursday to households in Wayne and Garfield counties, Utah. The entire contents of this newspaper are © 2023 The Wayne & Garfield County Insider, LLC/ Corner Post Media. The Insider reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement or submitted content items. Articles submitted by independent writers may or may not be the opinion of The Insider.

Please feel free to contact us for advertising rates and with any questions regarding content submissions. We prefer content and ads submitted by email to snapshot@live.com but we will accept your information any way you can get it to us.

Subscriptions to The Insider are available outside of Wayne and Garfield counties for $40 for 26 weeks, $70 per year.

Content and ad deadline: Friday at Noon Have a news tip or story idea?

Email us at snapshot@live.com or call us at 435-826-4400

June 6, 2024

The Insider

Fostering Animals: Opening Your Heart and Home

by Sandy Borthwick, Board Member, Color Country Animal Welfare TORREY - Over the years, my husband and I have had the joy of fostering around 40 dogs, each with their own unique personality and story. From Scruffy, the tree-climbing terrier, to Beegum, the troublemaker we ended up adopting, each animal has left a lasting imprint on our lives. Our journey into fostering began in the mid1990s at an animal shelter in Red Bluff, California. A photo album of the 26 dogs and 1 cat we fostered from Courtesy Susan Wright that shelter holds cherished memories.

When it comes to training, foster dogs can benefit In 2003, we moved from learning from other dogs. Leo (above) learned to Gunnison, Colorado, to use a ramp into a vehicle by watching two other where an animal rescue dogs do this first. group, but not yet a shelter, existed. Foster families fostered had never been in can gauge if their kids are were urgently needed, and a house before and had to ready for the responsibiliwe gladly stepped in. Dur- adapt to new experiences ties. While we have focused ing these years, we always and sounds. For instance, on dogs, CCAW also needs had one or two dogs of our Sprout, a dog we fostered fosters for cats and kittens, own and carefully chose from CCAW, was initially which come with their own foster dogs that would afraid of stairs. With pa- joys and rewards.

For those unable to blend well with them. Our tience, training, and redogs played a crucial role wards, she eventually mas- commit to full-time fosterin acclimating the fos- tered them. Foster dogs ing, taking a shelter animal ters to home life, teaching may also need to get used to on a “field trip” can provide them how to behave in the household noises, walking them with a much-needed house, car, and with people on different surfaces, using break from the shelter ena pet door, and signaling vironment. Activities like and other pets.

When we moved back when they need to go out- walks, hikes, playing fetch, or just hanging out can help to Torrey and lost our be- side.

Transportation can be reduce their stress and imloved 15-year-old dog, Reggie, fostering helped another challenge. Some an- prove their adoptability.

People often ask how mend our broken hearts. imals have little experience We decided to foster dogs with vehicles, so we had to we can foster without wantfrom Color Country Ani- teach them that it’s safe to ing to keep every animal. mal Welfare’s (CCAW) get in and ride calmly. Our While it is tough to say shelter, knowing that it own dogs were instrumental goodbye, the reward of seewould not only free up in this training process. Leo, ing an animal transform space in the shelter but also a small golden retriever and finding a loving home make the dogs more adopt- mix, learned to climb the makes it all worthwhile. able by training and accli- ramp into our 4-runner by Each adoption opens our mating them to home life. watching our dogs, Moki home to another animal Fostering has enriched our and Beegum, demonstrating in need. If you're interested in fostering or taking lives in countless ways. It the process.

CCAW offers flexible an animal on a field trip, ensured daily walks, provided laughter through the fostering options. You can the CCAW staff would be dogs' antics, taught us pa- bring a foster dog back to happy to provide more intience, and gave us a sense the shelter overnight or for formation. Contact them at a day if needed. There is no 435-425-2050 or visit their of fulfillment.

Fostering is also a way requirement to keep a foster facility at 1200 West Hwy to uncover an animal's true animal until it is adopted; 24, just west of Torrey. personality. Shelters can be any time out of the shelter stressful and noisy, which is beneficial. The shelter can make animals scared provides food, medications, and not themselves. In a supplies, and medical care, home, they feel safe, cared making it easier for foster for, and loved, making it families.

Fostering is also a great easier to learn about their personalities and needs. way to see if an animal is a This information is crucial good fit for your family befor finding the right forever fore adopting. It allows children to learn how to care for home for them.

Many of the dogs we and train a pet, and parents

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A4

Wills, Trusts, and More

The Insider

No Will, No Trust. . .What Happens?

by Jeffery J. McKenna Even if you have never signed a will or trust, you have an estate plan.

Some of you may be asking, “How?” The answer is the state has a “default estate plan” for those without their own.

Each state in the United States has an “Intestate Succession Plan” for those residents that die without having signed their own will or trust. Although the term and concept may seem daunting, it is merely the state legislature’s attempt to do what the legislature thinks its citizens would do if they had drafted and signed their own estate plan.

In Utah (as in many states), if you die without an estate plan, the law provides that your entire estate will be distributed to your spouse if he or she is alive unless you have children from a prior marriage. If you do not have a surviving spouse, the estate will be distributed to your children and if a child predeceases you, then to that child's children.

If you have no surviving children or grandchildren (commonly called your “issue”), then your estate will be distributed to other relatives.

If you have a surviving spouse and children from a prior marriage, a certain amount is distributed to your surviving spouse and then one-half of the balance of your estate will be distributed to your surviving spouse and

one-half to your children.

Although the state “default estate plan” attempts to represent what most people would want to do with their estate if they had done their own estate planning, it may not be what you want.

There are many concerns about relying on the state’s “default estate plan.”

If you rely on the state’s “default estate plan,” your desires may not be met when you have children from a prior marriage.

As previously stated, the state’s plan provides that one-half of your estate will go to children from a prior marriage and the other one-half to your surviving spouse.

Often, it may be desirable to allow the surviving spouse to have a lifetime interest in all or a part of your estate until his or her death and at that time the estate could be distributed to your children. This is commonly done through the use of a revocable or living trust that holds a personal residence in trust for the surviving spouse and then, upon their death, to the children or grandchildren of the first spouse.

Additionally, if you marry later in life, you may desire that all your assets be distributed to your children from a prior marriage because your surviving spouse has sufficient assets of his or her own. This must be accomplished through your own will or trust.

Although we all have a “default estate plan,” it may

be beneficial and sometimes crucial that you develop your own estate plan through your own efforts or with the help of an attorney. The “default estate plan” established by the state legislature can only do so much; it is important to know its terms and limitations.

Comics

country roads

by Lynn Griffin

tHe lAuGhiNg pOiNt!!

In the Outhouse Now

NOW WITH RICHFIELD AND PANGUITCH OFFICES TO SERVE CLIENTS IN AROUND THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES. Jeffery J. McKenna is a local attorney whose practice has been focused on Estate Planning for over 25 years.

He is licensed and serves clients in Utah, Arizona and Nevada. He is a shareholder at the law firm of Barney, McKenna and Olmstead. If you have questions you would like addressed in these articles, please feel free to contact him at 435 628-1711 or jmckenna@barney-mckenna. com or visit the firm’s website at WWW.BARNEY-MCKENNA.COM, he would enjoy hearing from you. Additionally, you can RSVP to attend one of his FREE Estate Planning Seminars in Richfield, at 159 North Main Street, every Third Thursday.

June 6, 2024

A man gathered all of his children together and said, “Children, when George Washington knocked down the cherry tree, he told his father honestly that it was him. Now answer me honestly. Who knocked down the outhouse?"

Finally, the youngest son admitted it was him, at which he received a lashing he wouldn’t soon forget.

“Thats not fair,” complained the son. “George Washington didn’t get punished when he told the truth.”

“Son,” replied the father. “The difference is that George Washington’s father wasn’t in the tree when he knocked it down!”

Boss Lady

A man died and went up to heaven. Upon arriving, he noticed two signs One said “Men Who are Bossed by Their Wives,” and the other one said “Men Not Bossed

By Their Wives.” After closer inspection, he noticed that while next to the first sign was a big line, by the second sign there was just one man. After getting even closer, he realized it was his friend, Harry. “Hey, Harry,” the man questioned. “What in the world are you doing here? Your wife bosses you around more then anybody.” “I don’t know,” Harry replied. “My wife told me to stand here.”

PUNishment

I took a picture of a field of wheat.

It was grainy.

Today's Thought

Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?

sudoku To Play: Complete the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9

Lawyer

A young lawyer died and was brought to heaven.

Upon arriving the lawyer started protesting that it’s way to early for him to die, for he was only 32 years old, and there must be some mistake.

The listening angel agreed that perhaps it was a mistake and agreed to look into it. After a few minutes the angel came back and said “I’m sorry, sir, but I am afraid there is no mistake.

We calculated your age by how many hours you billed your clients, and you are at least 96.”

This week's answers on B5

THEME:

Space

ACROSS 1. House pest 6. Emergency responder, acr.

9. Meme dance moves 13. Below, prefix 14. Swimmer's distance 15. Not urban 16. Take a base 17. Grazing spot 18. Stressful or unnerving 19. *Clint Eastwood's "Space ____" 21. *First U.S. space station 23. Salty dog's domain 24. Fail to mention 25.

Spermatozoa counterpart 28. Ukrainian person, e.g.

30. State of submission 35. Network of nerves 37. Muscle or strength 39. ____ Mara, Africa 40. Shapeless form 41. Cliffside dwelling 43. *Saturn's environs, sing.

44. Poetic feet 46. Darn a sock, e.g.

47. Per person 48. Rendezvouses 50. Mine entrance 52. After-tax amount 53. Litter's littlest 55. French vineyard 57. *Sun's outer layer, not beer brand 60. *Second S in ISS 64. Ancient Celtic priest 65. Sun kiss 67. "Mea ____," or "my fault" 68. *"From the Earth to the Moon" author 69. In the past 70. Judge 71. Education station 72. Order's partner 73. Food between meals outlet DOWN 1. Reduced Instruc-

tion Set Computer 2. "I'm ____ you!"

3. Not many (2 words) 4. Dungeness and snow, e.g.

5. *Circles of light around sun and moon 6. 90-degree pipes, e.g.

7. *____ Jamison, the first African-American woman in space 8. Tetanus symptom 9. Two-fold 10. Diva's solo 11. Prickle on a wire 12. Sylvester Stallone's nickname 15. Johnny Cash's "Get ____" 20. Churchill/Roosevelt/Stalin meeting site 22. Model-builder's purchase 24. Gorge oneself 25. *Planet's path 26. Type of consonant 27. Skeleton, archaic 29. Attention-getting interjection 31. Like pink steak 32. Of the Orient

33. Jousting pole 34. *____-year 36. Opposite of flows 38. *Solar ____, sun's emission 42. Authoritative proclamation 45. Walked with long steps 49. *Solar System center 51. Parcels 54. Birth-related 56. One-eighty 57. Manitoba native 58. Couple's pronoun 59. Dorothy Hamill's turf 60. Jon of "Game of Thrones" 61. Pelvic parts 62. Petroleum-exporting grp.

63. Police informer 64. VHS successor 66. Palindromic title

Solution on B5

The Insider

June 6, 2024

Obituaries

A5

FYI PanguItch

by Mack Oetting ~ mackoetting @gmail.com

Steven Gurr 1956 - 2024

LOA - Our kind and loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend, Steven Kent Gurr, age 68, of Loa, passed away May 24, 2024, in Provo, Utah, just six months after the passing of his beloved wife, Sharon.

He was born March 29, 1956, to Kent Joseph and Bonnie Kay Dickinson Gurr in Richfield, Utah. His family moved to McGill when he was 18 months old so his Dad could go to work for the Kennecott Copper Corp. Growing up in McGill, he gained 4 brothers and 3 sisters and a lifetime love of fishing, hunting and camping. Steve enjoyed trapping and loved tanning the hides. He enjoyed making gun cases and knife sheaths out of the leather.

He graduated from White Pine High School in 1974.

He later attended Sevier Valley Tech, in Richfield, where he got a degree in Art. Steve married Marla Mouritsen, and together they had 4 beautiful children; they later divorced. Steve met the love of his life, Sharon Marie Stewart, and they were married for time and all eternity in the Manti LDS Temple June 10, 1987. He gained 2 more beautiful children from the union. He loved his wife more than anything in the world. They lived for each other and were rarely apart. They spent many years together enjoying their young family. They loved having all 6 kids together to go camping and fishing. They tended to each other in their older years. There has never been a love quite so strong.

Sharon passed away November 15, 2023, leaving Steve heart broken and lonely.

Steve is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved being a Primary Teacher for 12 years. He loved the little children that he taught.

Steve was an amazing artist. He enjoyed attending Rat Fink Reunion every year. Steve was also featured in his favorite magazine, Auto Art Magazine. He painted many signs around Wayne County over the years for many businesses. He was so talented and enjoyed teaching others to paint. He loved old cars, and he could rebuild any old motor.

He loved his family. He was a giver—if you were friends with Steve, you probably now own something that once belonged to him. He enjoyed giving to his family and friends.

Steve enjoyed hunting, fishing, and mountain rides with his sweetie, Sharon.

Steve worked in the gold mines for many years as a driller and blaster. He loved this job and really excelled at it. After moving to Loa, he enjoyed working with the youth at Aspen Ranch, and then he worked as maintenance at Capitol Reef National Park for many seasons.

Steve retired in Loa where he and Sharon lived for each other.

He is survived by his children: Jeff (Kristal) Gurr of Escalante; Julie (Lance) Durfey of Bicknell; Sam (Kenni) Gurr, Elizabeth Gurr Chapson, all of Las Vegas, Nevada; Jerimiah Gurr of Letha, Idaho; 9 grandchildren; 3 greatgrandchildren; his siblings: Sharon Gurr; Staci Gurr; Stanton (Teri) Gurr; Susanne (Gary) Pember; Shawn (Stefni) Gurr; Sheldon (Jenny) Gurr; a sister-in-law; Bessie Stewart.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Sharon; a son, James Edward Gurr; his parents Kent and Bonnie; a brother: Scott Gurr; brothers-in-law: Deloy Albert Stewart, Allan Dan Stewart Sr.; and a sister-in-law: Judy Ann Stewart.

Funeral services were held Friday, May 31, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. in the Loa LDS Stake Center, where friends called for viewing Friday morning from 11:30 to 12:30 prior to the services.

Live streaming of the services were found at: www. springerturner.com under Steve’s obituary about 15 minutes prior to starting time.

Burial was in the Grover Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.

Online guest book at: www.springerturner.com

Saturday felt like summer, even though the official start of summer is still 20 days away. I believe the temp was at 87 when we got home on that day. On Sunday, it cooled off nicely, but it looks like there will be record heat down in St. George later this week.

It was another big week, with the Panguitch Quilt Walk Festival hitting town. The Chocolate Fest was a big success last night; I hope you made it there. April Hookham certainly did a good job. She took over the chairmanship from Pat and did not miss a beat. Thank you, April, and for all of your help. This is a Sub for Santa event, and it was such a success. Today, is the start of the quilting classes at the high school, and they run through Saturday. Tonight is the Quilt Walk Play. Elaine Baldwin and I are the only ones left from the original cast, and it is the play's 25th year.

My granddaughter, Teah, was the first Lottie, and she is now 35 years old. It has been a fun time for me, but unless something happens, it will be my last go around. The steps just get higher each year, and it is time for someone to take my place. The play will run through Saturday. It is a dinner show, and it is always a fun event. Elaine has been there every moment. Thank you, Elaine.

Another highlight on Saturday will be the Panguitch Lions Club all-youcan-eat breakfast, and it will be at its usual spot at the Zions Bank. They will have live karaoke music

by anyone that wants to show us how to sing. In the afternoon, there will be crafts that were made by the pioneers. The Lions Club is always looking for new members to help out on their many projects to make Panguitch life a little easier. The Club has donated more than $200,000 back into the community over the last 25 years.

The American Legion is always looking for veterans to help with the honor guard at the funerals and with putting up the flags on Memorial Day weekend. Many of the veterans are getting along in years, and they will need to be replaced. The Legion is the lifeline to Congress to keep the benefits and the VA hospitals throughout the nation going. The Legion is going to raise their dues to $5.00 come July 1st. However, if before that date you would like to renew your membership for three years, you can do it at the old rate. On the computer, you can log into legion.org/renew and have your card ready, and then, for three years you won’t have to worry about it. The Ladies Auxiliary to the American Legion also assists with flags, dinners and other events as needed.

Our next big event will be the Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally in the last week in June. The town explodes that Saturday night with more than 4,000 folks, so get ready.

There are many jobs around town that need help, such as cooking and opening at the Dollar Store. I hear that they may be look-

ing for a full-time driver for the book mobile, this comes with benefits. The problem is good. It wasn’t too long ago that in the 90s, before the Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument came into being, we had 13% unemployment.

Now, we have the opposite, which is not enough workers. Those that can work can’t find housing.

We have some really good news for the town.

On Pigweed Hill, there is going to be a gym with a two lane swimming pool that can be used to swim against the current. For the older folks, it can be used as a way to get some exercise in. It is a truly exciting thing to be able to get a good work out, especially during the winter. There will be a fee, but it will be open 24 hours a day.

I have been watching the NBA finals, and there has been some great basketball played. In the ten games in the semis, eight of them all boiled down to the last two minutes of the game. Boston will be playing Dallas in the finals, with both teams winning their semi match ups in five games. Dallas is the first 6th place team to ever play in the finals; they did it by beating 1st place teams Oklahoma and Denver. Their play starts tonight and goes till one of the teams win four games.

I am sure that you have heard about the trial of the last president that ended last Thursday. Since he didn’t present a defense, it didn’t take very long to convict him of 34 felony

charges. I have said before that he would file an appeal, and I am sure that he will and that it will drag on for a long time.

What I don’t understand is why anyone would send money to a billionaire, especially when he says that he is so rich that he doesn’t need handouts.

What a great year it was at Panguitch High School. It was 100 years ago that they won their first state championship, and a hundred years later, they now have over 100 more championships.

With the first championship, there was only one league.

Do we live in a great town or what? Sunday morning, on the way to church, I fell again on our back steps. (I am a slow learner.) When I finally got back into the house, all kinds of sisters were there to help if I needed them; bless them. The last time I fell on the same steps, it was decided to buy some railing, which we did.

However, we have been so busy that I didn’t have time to install it. When I went out to see what was going on, my two daughters had rounded up both of our neighbors, Dave Owens and Bert Honey, and they had the railing installed. How cool is that? What great neighbors we have. There are such good people living in Panguitch.

Oh my, what a great country we live in, where no one is above the law.

Mack O.

Obituaries Verl L. Bagley 1944 - 2024

GREENWICH / KOOSHAREM - Verl L. Bagley, our loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend passed away May 25, 2024, in Cedar City, at the age of 79. He was born July 11, 1944, in Salina, to Lynn Garr and Mary Glennona DeLange Bagley.

Raised in Greenwich, he was the oldest of 5 siblings. He loved Box Creek and grew up farming, hunting, and even did a little roping and riding.

After graduating from the first class of Piute High School in 1962 where he was class president and played on the basketball team, he continued his education in Cedar City at the College of Southern Utah where he received his associate degree.

He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Scotland.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree in biology from Southern Utah University, he was drafted in the United States Army as an Infantry Sergeant and Track Commander where he fought in the Vietnam War in Vietnam and Cambodia where he was a decorated war veteran receiving the Silver Star and Army Commendation Medal.

Upon returning, he taught Biology at Richfield High School for one year and then started his career as the County Extension Agent for Piute County and Wayne County through Utah State University where he worked for 42 years.

While working in Loa, he met Alcea Woolsey from Bicknell, and they were married for time and all eternity on June 19, 1973, in the Manti LDS Temple.

While starting their family, they moved to Cedar City and Logan, to continue their education and for Verl to receive his Master’s degree in Range Science from Utah State University. Eventually, they returned to his beloved Box Creek, where they continued to grow and raise their family. In 2006, he was awarded the E.G. Peterson Award at Utah State University.

Verl served in many positions in the church where he had a strong love for the gospel and a strong testimony of Jesus Christ.

Verl was a beacon of faith, his belief guiding him through the trials of life. As a veteran, he carried the weight of duty with pride, embodying resilience, and sacrifice. Tending to his fields, he nurtured both crops and family, instilling values of hard work and perseverance. Yet, above all, he cherished his roles as father, grandfather, brother, and husband, showering his loved ones with unconditional love and devotion. Verl’s legacy is one of faith, service, and enduring love, a testament to a life lived with purpose and integrity.

Verl is survived by his wife, Alcea Bagley; his children, Rayne (Stefanie) Bagley, Brooke (Keith) Bali, Amanda (Quinn) Stubbs, Brodie (Kayla) Bagley, Moniece (Colby) Counley; 16 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and his brothers and sisters: Mary Ann (Steve) Steffensen, LaRell (Carolyn) Bagley, Sherry (Scott) Cook, and Marvin (Sheralyn) Bagley.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his father and mother-in-law, Dewey and Remola Woolsey.

Our family would like to thank the hospice staff and the staff at Our House for showing so much love and care to dad.

Funeral services were held Monday, June 3, 2024, at 12:00 Noon in the Koosharem LDS Ward Chapel.

Friends called for viewing at the Springer Turner Funeral in Richfield, Sunday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM or at the ward chapel in Koosharem, Monday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 prior to the services.

Live streaming of the services were found at: www.springerturner.com under Verl’s obituary about 15 minutes prior to starting time.

Burial was with military honors accorded by the Harold Brown American Legion Post #92 and the Utah Honor Guard will be in the Koosharem Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.

Online guest book at: www.springerturner.com.

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June 6, 2024

Loa Hatchery: It’s been said that a bad day fishing is still better than a good day at the office, and we feel that this

hatchery will provide even more opportunities for Utahns to enjoy the outdoors with their families. We are so excited for this new facility and all that it will mean for fishing and outdoor recreation in Utah.—J. Shirley, DWR Director

Courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Site plan for the new Loa Fish Hatchery. Construction on the new Loa Fish Hatchery began on March 26 and is expected to be completed in 2027, with the startup and final testing taking place in 2028 before fish are brought into the facility. When completed, the hatchery will primarily raise rainbow and cutthroat trout to be stocked around the state.

Loa Hatchery Cont'd from A1

essary funding to rebuild the Loa Fish Hatchery.

The hatchery closed in November 2014 after it was infested by the New Zealand mudsnail, an invasive species. The hatchery was originally built in 1936, and due to the age of the raceways and deterioration of the facility, removing the snails wasn’t effective. The

hatchery had to be closed to prevent the spread of the snails through fish stocking.

Over 1.1 million pounds of fish are raised and stocked in Utah annually, and the Loa Fish Hatchery historically had the capacity to produce roughly 180,000 pounds of fish each year—the most trout of any of the state’s 13 fish hatcheries.

Its closure decreased fish production and stocking

throughout Utah and put a strain on the other remaining hatcheries.

“The reconstruction of the Loa Fish Hatchery will help provide the additional fish-rearing space needed to redistribute production, improve hatchery fish-rearing conditions and meet the annual angling demands for healthy, stockable fish,” DWR Fish Culture Coordinator Roger Mellethin said.

“This rebuild on the same

Obituaries Kathy Okerlund 1950 - 2024

BOUNTIFUL / LOA - Kathleen Okerlund, age 73, passed away peacefully May 29, 2024, of natural causes at her home in Bountiful surrounded by loved ones. She was born November 8, 1950, in Price, Utah, to her beloved parents, Loren Clare and Beryl Mecham Okerlund. She cherished growing up in Loa, in the beautiful Wayne Wonderland in Utah. Though Kathy was an only child, she was blessed to be part of a large loving family of aunts, uncles and cousins.

She graduated from Wayne High School, Class of 1969. She then attended and graduated from LDS Business College in Salt Lake City in 1971.

Kathy worked for several different companies, including as a Loan Officer for Mountain America Credit Union, but she especially enjoyed working as an Administrative Assistant for 29 years at the LDS Church Headquarters.

Through her willingness to serve in many church callings, including Stake Relief Society Presidency, Ward Relief Society Presidency, Ward Newsletter Editor, Relief Society teacher and Ward organist, she developed many lifelong friendships. Her greatest strength was her unwavering faith in her Savior Jesus Christ. She never questioned why; she just did the best she could.

Kathy played piano, organ and flute. She wrote poetry and stories and was in the process of a book. She enjoyed interior design, cooking, baking, crosswords (even the difficult ones), reading and music. She loved the color orange, because it made her feel alive and happy. She loved to laugh and make others laugh. She enjoyed life to the fullest. Kathy kept in contact with her close cousins and many of her childhood friends, calling them often, to talk and catch up on their families and lives.

She was a tease, loved a good joke, and made others laugh, which helped lift herself and others above the challenges of life.

Kathy loved deeply, worked hard, served faithfully and endured well.

She is enjoying many sweet reunions. She will be sorely missed by family and friends she left behind.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. in the Loa LDS Stake Center Relief Society Room, where friends may call for viewing Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 prior to the services.

Live streaming of the services can be found at: www.springerturner.com under Kathy’s obituary about 15 minutes prior to starting time.

Burial will be in the Loa Cemetery.

A Memorial will be held August 10, 2024, at 11:00 at the Bountiful East 11th LDS Ward Chapel, 115 Wicker Lane, Bountiful, Utah. A luncheon will be provided by the Relief Society afterwards.

The family expresses a heartfelt thank you to her Hospice Team for their tender service and exceptional kindness.

Services under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.

Online guest book at: www.springerturner.com

site will allow us to take advantage of the area’s remarkable local springs and build a cost-effective,

secure hatchery that uses the newest technologies to produce 350,000 pounds of fish annually—almost double what it could produce previously—while returning clean water to the nearby Fremont River.”

The reopening of the Loa Fish Hatchery will also benefit the economy. The first phase of the hatchery construction is being performed by a local Wayne County contractor, and the hatchery will provide up to six full-time jobs. These positions—which will pay around $47,000 annually—will bring an estimated $238,000 into the local economy each year.

Fishing generates over $1 billion of revenue each year for Utah’s economy and the local fishing industry creates 8,000 jobs across the state.

“In 2023, the sale of fishing licenses generated $11.5 million in revenue,” Utah Department of Natural Resources Deputy Director Todd Adams said.

“The majority of that funding goes back into aquatic projects and research to

benefit fisheries in the state. We’re so thankful that the Utah legislature helped fund this project, which will help raise almost one-third of the state’s stockable fish for residents and others to enjoy.”

Construction on the new Loa Fish Hatchery began on March 26 and is expected to be completed in 2027, with the startup and final testing taking place in 2028 before fish are brought into the facility. When completed, the hatchery will primarily raise rainbow and cutthroat trout to be stocked around the state.

“It’s been said that a bad day fishing is still better than a good day at the office, and we feel that this hatchery will provide even more opportunities for Utahns to enjoy the outdoors with their families,” DWR Director J. Shirley said. “We are so excited for this new facility and all that it will mean for fishing and outdoor recreation in Utah.”

—Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Obituaries Debbie Kay PANGUITCH - Debra “Debbie” Lee Kay passed away May 28, 2024, in Panguitch, surrounded by her family after a long illness. Debbie was born in Canon City, Colorado; she is the middle child of Bill and Sarah Kay. Debbie attended school in Westminster, Colorado, before moving with her family to California. She graduated from Buena Park High School and attended Fullerton College earning a degree in childcare.

Debbie moved to Panguitch to be near her parents and worked in the sewing plant until leaving to tour Germany, making new friends and wonderful memories. Debbie returned to Panguitch and went to work for Ruby’s Inn, where she worked for over 30 years.

Debbie was always a strong and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

She loved attending the temple with her mom and working as a nursery leader.

Debbie was a wonderful and supportive aunt to all her nieces and nephews.

Debbie is survived by her mother Sarah Kay; siblings: Dene (Deborah) Kay, Lorena (Joe) Decker, Tina Riggs and Dale (Debrah) Kay. Preceded in death by her father William “Bill” Kay; brother-inlaw, John Riggs; and niece, Rachel (Scott) Edmiston.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the Panguitch 1st Ward Chapel. Viewing at the church from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Burial was in the Panguitch Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.

Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com

June 6, 2024

The Insider

Out & About for the Summer

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Great Places to Go Fishing in Utah on Free Fishing Day, June 8

Courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Free Fishing Day is on Saturday, June 8, and allows anyone to fish at any public waterbody in Utah without a license.

UTAH - Free Fishing Day is just around the corner, and if you are itching to get outdoors, there are several great Utah fishing destinations that are worth checking out this time of year.

Free Fishing Day is on Saturday, June 8, and allows anyone to fish at any public waterbody in Utah without a license.

It makes for a great family activity and offers an easy way to get outdoors and introduce your kids to fishing (or your neighbors and friends)! It’s an ideal day not only for beginning anglers to give fishing a try, but is also a fun time for experienced anglers, too.

“Because you don’t need a license to fish on Free Fishing Day, it’s the perfect time to take someone with you and introduce them to this fun sport,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick said. “Early June is one of the best times to fish in Utah. All of the fish in the state, both warmwater and coldwater species, are active and willing to bite this time of the year.”

If you are taking someone fishing for their first time, you can commemorate their first catch with a fun DWR certificate. You can print out the certificate at home and fill in the details to document the occasion. There are also a variety of great resources for new anglers on

the DWR website.

If you are looking for some ideas of where to go fishing on Free Fishing Day, here are a few great options: Beginner fishing spots: Community ponds Local community ponds are a great option for beginners and offer a quick, close-to-home fishing spot.

These ponds are a great place to take kids and other less experienced anglers.

There are 57 community ponds located around Utah, and more information about each one can be found on the DWR website.

These ponds are stocked by the DWR each year with trout and catfish.

Advanced fishing spots For more advanced anglers who want to visit a larger waterbody with additional fishing opportunities, there are a variety of options across the state: • Joes Valley Reservoir (Emery County): This is a prime fishing destination because it offers trophy tiger muskie fishing, as well as good fishing for splake, rainbow and cutthroat trout. You can have success fishing for all of these species from the shore or by boat.

• Lake Powell (Garfield, Kane and San Juan counties): Known for its beautiful scenery and awesome boating, this waterbody is also a great fishing destination, particularly from a boat.

This time of year offers outstanding fishing for

striped bass, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish.

• Fish Lake (Sevier County): With its close proximity to Capitol Reef National Park, this is already a fun area to explore, but Fish Lake also offers some excellent fishing, particularly from a boat. Fishing for rainbow trout and yellow perch can be good in the early summer. Anglers can also find lake trout and splake at Fish Lake.

• Strawberry Reservoir (Wasatch County): Located only about an hour and a half from Salt Lake City, this waterbody offers exceptional

fishing that’s relatively close for residents along the Wasatch Front. Anglers will find pretty consistent fishing all summer long for kokanee salmon, rainbow and cutthroat trout.

• Middle Provo River (Wasatch County): This waterbody provides great, close-to-home stream fishing for residents along the Wasatch Front. June and sometimes through July are an ideal time to fish the Middle Provo River, which is when the green drake hatch is happening. It’s a larger fly that hatches this time of year and provides an exciting fishing opportunity for fly anglers. White-

fish and brown trout are the best species to target this time of year. Melting snowpack has many of Utah’s streams and rivers running higher and faster than normal.

Please be very cautious if you plan to fish a river or stream in the coming weeks, and check location conditions in advance.

• Bear Lake (Rich County): Stretching between Idaho and Utah, this large waterbody provides a lot of different areas to fish. Wellknown for its iconic Caribbean blue water, this scenic lake is also home to some species of fish that are found nowhere else in the world.

Anglers should target cutthroat trout this time of year, and will have the best success from a boat.

• Starvation Reservoir (Duchesne County): Rainbow trout over 20 inches are relatively common right now at this waterbody, making for a fun fishing experience. Anglers will typically have the most success while fishing from a boat. This time of year offers good fishing for walleye, in addition to rainbow trout. The DWR is still requesting that anglers harvest smaller walleye (10-14 inches) to reduce competition in this abundant size class.

• Long Park Reservoir, Daggett County: This secluded reservoir offers fast fishing from shore or from a small

watercraft, and anglers can expect high catch rates. Using dry flies can work exceptionally well, and this time of year offers great fishing for rainbow and brook trout and Arctic grayling.

• Pelican Lake (Uintah County): Pelican Lake is a popular fishing destination in northeastern Utah and offers great bass fishing from a boat. Fly anglers should target bass using frog patterns in the late spring months and then switch to minnow patterns in the summer.

Fly fish or bowfish for carp for a chance at catching one with a reward tag.

Learn the rules Aside from Free Fishing Day on June 8, you need a fishing license to fish anywhere in Utah.

(And even on Free Fishing Day, the other fishing rules in Utah will still be in effect besides the license requirement.) Fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase and can be purchased online, at any DWR office or from a DWR license agent.

Make sure you know the daily fish limits and other rules for the waterbody you are fishing. You can find the rules in the 2024 Utah Fishing Guidebook, which is available in both English and Spanish.

And wherever you go fishing, remember to recreate responsibly by packing out what you pack in and keeping the area free of trash.

—Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

The Insider

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June 6, 2024

Tracy Sidwell: Reliable delivery out here is very

important. You know, I don’t want to brag, but I think I’ve helped a lot of people out through the years. And a lot of people have helped me out too.

—Tracy Sidwell Tracy Sidwell Cont'd from A1

and milk to Boulder,” said Sidwell. Beyond moving commodities and taking local children to visit their grandparents in the next town over, Sidwell has also leased farmland in Boulder and helped with auto repairs at Cottam’s 66 in Escalante, all in between his strictly scheduled mail drops. His evenings were further spent moving concrete materials to the various batch plants in the area.

“Some people might say I’m a workaholic, but I take my job very seriously; I take a lot of pride in it,” said Sidwell, who has never missed the outgoing mail truck in Panguitch each afternoon. “In my 30 years of doing this, I think I was only late once, and that was because of the Bryce Canyon Marathon the first year they ran it.” Not a bad track record considering Sidwell has made the 200 mile round trip journey six days a week, rain, snow or otherwise for the better part of three decades.

Two hundred miles a day adds up quickly, and all of Sidwell’s trucks are pushing half a million miles. “I’ve always driven a Dodge, and when one of them fails me, I’ll try a Ford, but that hasn’t happened yet,” said Sidwell.

He recollects towing an out-of-gas semi truck up the Blues and helping

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UDOT vehicles navigate Head-of-the-Rocks during intense snow storms. His trusty RAM 3500 has only left him on the side of the road once, but Sidwell was able to call on his community for help and still made his mail drops on time.

“I love the people of Garfield County,” said Sidwell. Born and raised in Escalante, he graduated from high school there in 1991. This is where he met Brent Cottam, who was his basketball coach at the time. “Brent was such a huge mentor to me, and I like that we’ve been able to help each other through the years. I used to haul fuel in Brent’s fuel truck up to Boulder to deliver gas, and I took my mail with me, and sometimes Brent has hauled the mail to Boulder for me in the fuel truck when I’ve been away,” Sidwell said.

This relationship has continued with Sidwell often moonlighting (during the day) as a mechanic at Cottam’s auto repair shop in between his delivery deadlines. “I just love hanging out with Donnie, Cort and those guys at the shop, and hanging at the Beauty Bar with Stephanie [Cottam] and her clients,” he said. It’s a community built through connectivity. “Reliable delivery out here is very important. You know, I don’t want to brag, but I think I’ve helped a lot of people out through the

years. And a lot of people have helped me out too,” he said.

But when Sidwell is on the road, it is just him and his stereo for company. “I listen to a lot of music, but I also listen to a lot of books,” he said.

Some of his favorites are from LDS author Gerald Lund and classic western writer Louis L’Amour. “I can listen to some books over and over, I’ve probably listened to The Undaunted by Lund fifteen times.” Sidwell might have been born for this job; he doesn’t even need any fancy cushions for his seat to make the ride more comfortable, “my butt just does that for me,” he said.

“When I was growing up, I never thought I’d be a mailman,” he said. “My childhood dream was to be a long-haul trucker. I don’t know what it is, but I have always really liked trucks and equipment.” Sidwell took on his current job by starting as a relief driver for the previous contract holder, Kent McInelly, following several years running trucks and equipment related to the timber industry in Panguitch.

While his current job as a U.S mail contractor might not involve tractortrailers on the open road, it is hard to pass up the wonderful people and scenery of Highway 12. Sidwell looks to continue his work, under a subcontract for the Pony Express, for at least a little while longer. But he still dreams of one day owning and operating his own big rig. Next time you see Sidwell carrying your mail, auto parts or freight between Panguitch and Boulder, don’t forget to give him a wave.

June 6, 2024

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Legal Notices NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGE WAYNE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Please take notice that the Wayne County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the following: PROPOSED CHANGE: ZONE CHANGE FROM RES/ AG TO BCI WITH A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADDING ADDITIONAL AG PROPERTY TO AN EXISTING BCI PARCEL INTENDED USE: CONTINUED USE AS ICE & WOOD BUSINESS CHANGE REQUESTED BY: LEE TAFT A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD DURING THE PLANNING & ZONING MEETING ON: JUNE 12, 2024 @ 7:00 PM AT THE WAYNE COUNTY COURTHOUSE LEGAL DES: Approx 2.73 acres of land located in Section 36 T28S R3E located at 335 S SR 24 Bicknell, UT, 84715.

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JUNE 6, 2024 PUBLIC NOTICE USDA - NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) invites public comment regarding the Garfield County and West Panguitch Irrigation Company proposal to update an undersized and aging irrigation pipeline.

Concurrent with this issue, a proposal by Garfield County to extend an existing bike trail and enhance it to accommodate multi-use will also be addressed. The NRCS also intends to create an Upper Sevier Watershed Master Plan, but no actions will be proposed as part of this project.

The NRCS, with Garfield County as the sponsor, intends to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Upper Sevier Watershed in Garfield County, Utah.

The EA process will examine alternative solutions to increase efficiency in the current agricultural water delivery system, assist in the preparation of a watershed master plan, and aid in the exploration of enhancing recreational facilities. NRCS is requesting comments to identify resource concerns and opportunities, constraints, significant issues, potential alternatives relevant to the proposed actions from all interested individuals, Federal and State agencies, and Tribes.

NRCS invites agencies, Native American Tribes, non-governmental organizations, community groups, and individuals that have special expertise, legal jurisdiction, or interest in the Upper Sevier River Watershed to comment on the scope of the EA, including the project’s purpose and need, the identification of potential alternatives, specific areas of study, data needs to be included in the analysis, and evaluation methodology. NRCS is open to additional coordination meetings, if requested.

NRCS will consider all comments submitted through June 9, 2024, and will consider comments received later to the extent possible.

Please note that there will be further opportunity to comment during the next review and comment period once the Draft EA is prepared and ready for the public, with more granular detail on the project and its alternatives.

We invite you to submit your comments, written or by email, to: Jacob Norlin Eocene Environmental Group 1745 S Alma School Rd #220, Mesa, AZ 85210 jnorlin@eocene.com For additional information and maps of proposed actions, visit the project webpage at: https://www.nrcs. usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/ utah/upper-sevier-watershed-sponsor-garfield-county Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on MAY 16, 23 & 30 and JUNE 6, 2024 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TORREY TOWN There will be a public hearing to discuss the Torrey Property Disposal of the Home at 101 East 100 North.

Public comment will be invited.

June 6, 2024, at 6:00 PM at the Torrey Town Office, 75 East 100 North, Torrey, Utah.

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on MAY 30 and JUNE 6, 2024 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TORREY TOWN There will be a public hearing to present and discuss the proposed Torrey 2024-25 Budget.

Public comment will be invited.

June 6, 2024, at 6:30 PM at the Torrey Town Office, 75 East 100 North, Torrey, Utah.

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on MAY 30 and JUNE 6, 2024 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TORREY TOWN There will be a public hearing to discuss Torrey Landscape Initiative Program and Ordinance.

Public comment will be invited.

June 13, 2024, at 6:30 PM at the Torrey Town Office, 75 EAST 100 North, Torrey, Utah.

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on MAY 30 and JUNE 6, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS WAYNE WONDERLAND AIRPORT WAYNE COUNTY DOCUMENT 00 11 13.17 Wayne County - PO Box 189, 18 South Main, Loa UT 84747 General Notice: Wayne County (Owner) is requesting Bids for the construction of the following Project: Wayne Wonderland Airport GA Terminal Bids for the construction of the Project will be received at the Wayne County Courthouse located at 18 South Main, Loa UT 84747, until Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 2:00 PM local time. At that time, the Bids received will be publicly opened and read.

The Project includes the following Work: Building interior space construction of pilot’s lounge, restrooms, office, storage/utility room, culinary water service line, septic system, and related work. Bids will be received for a single contract.

Owner anticipates that the Project’s total bid price will be approximately $203,800.00. The Project has an expected duration of 60 days.

Obtaining Bidding Documents: Information and Bidding Documents for the Project can be found at the following designated websites: https:// bids.sciquest.com/apps/Router/PublicEvent?Custome rOrg=StateOfUtah The designated website will be updated with addenda, plan holders list, reports, and other information relevant to submitting a Bid for the Project. Official notifications, addenda, and other Bidding Documents will be offered through the designated website.

The Issuing Office for the Bidding Documents is: Jones & DeMille Engineering, Inc., 1535 South 100 West, Richfield, UT 84701.

Prospective Bidders may examine the Bidding Documents at the Issuing Office Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except holidays.

Partial sets of Bidding Documents will not be available from the Issuing Office. Neither Owner nor Engineer will be responsible for full or partial sets of Bidding Documents, including addenda, if any, obtained from sources other than the designated website and the Issuing Office.

Pre-bid Conference: A pre-bid conference for the Project will be held on Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 at 11:00 AM local time at Wayne Wonderland Airport located at 2580 S. Airport Road, Lyman UT 84749. Attendance at the pre-bid conference is encouraged but not required.

Questions shall be submitted to Jamison Christensen

by Friday June 7th, 2024, by 2:00 PM email to jamison.c@ jonesanddemille.com.

Instructions to Bidders: This Project is partially funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and is subject to Made in America Laws, affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunity, minimum wage rates established by the Secretary of Labor, and other federal requirements indicated in the Bidding Documents.

Wayne County (Owner), in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat.

252, 42 USC §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all Bidders or offerors that it will affirmatively ensure that for any Contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit Proposals in response to this invitation and no businesses will be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), creed, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), age, or disability in consideration for an award.

For further requirements regarding bid submittal, qualifications, procedures, and contract award, refer to the Instructions to Bidders that are included in the Bidding Documents. The Owner may reject any or all Bids submitted.

Issued by: Owner: Wayne County By: Roger Brian Title: Commission Chair Date: May 20th, 2024 Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on MAY 30 and JUNE 6, 2024 PUBLIC LANDS LEGAL COUNSEL AND REPRESENTATION FOR BEAVER, GARFIELD, KANE, PIUTE, & WAYNE COUNTIES Requested services include providing legal counsel and representation for the above counties and their stakeholders in public lands related matters, judicial challenges, and litigation.

For more information, please visit garfield.utah.gov or call David Dodds at (435) 238-0935.

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on MAY 30 and JUNE 6, 13, 20 & 27, 2024

LAND FOR SALE AT PUBLIC AUCTION UTAH TRUST LANDS ADMINISTRATION

Utah Trust Lands Administration will be conducting an online public auction from June 20-25, 2024. A lot within the historic Widtsoe Townsite area, containing 1.00 acre will be offered for sale. The parcel is located in Garfield County, in the John's Valley area, along State Highway 22, and approximately 13 miles from Bryce Canyon. The starting price will be $18,000. Financing is available. For more information, please call (801) 5385163 or visit trustlands.utah.gov. (C-27203) Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on MAY 30 and JUNE 6 & 13, 2024 NOTICE TO WATER USERS The applications below were filed with the Division of Water Rights in Wayne County. These are informal proceedings per Rule 655-6-2. Protests concerning an application must be legibly written or typed, contain the name and mailing address of the protesting party, STATE THE APPLICATION NUMBER PROTESTED, CITE REASONS FOR THE PROTEST, and REQUEST A HEARING, if desired. Also, A $15 FEE MUST BE INCLUDED FOR EACH APPLICATION PROTESTED. Protests must be filed with the Division of Water Rights on or before Jul. 3, 2024 either electronically using the Division`s on-line Protest of Application form, by hand delivery to a Division office, or by mail at PO Box 146300, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6300. Please visit waterrights.utah.gov or call (801)538-7240 for additional information.

GARFIELD COUNTY NEW APPLICATION(S) 97-2525 (A84239): Diamond Q Ranch, LLC propose(s) using 1.73 ac-ft. from groundwater (W of Escalante) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING. 97-2526 (A84243): Mai Nguyen propose(s) using 1.73 ac-ft. from groundwater (2 miles S of Boulder) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING. CHANGE APPLICATION(S) 61-3304 (a51749): Clinton and Tami Rusk propose(s) using 0.0043 cfs OR 0.5 ac-ft. from groundwater (3.5 miles north of Hatch) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION. WAYNE COUNTY NEW APPLICATION(S) 95-5529 (A84249): SHNS LLC propose(s) using 0.015 cfs OR 1.45 ac-ft. from groundwater (8 miles west of Hanksville) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION. CHANGE APPLICATION(S) 95-5478 (a51724): Kathy Benson propose(s) using 0.45 ac-ft. from groundwater (5 miles southeast of Torrey) for DOMESTIC. Teresa Wilhelmsen, P.E. State Engineer Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JUNE 6 & 13, 2024 NOTICE OF AUCTION OF SURPLUS ITEMS GARFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT The Garfield County School District is pleased to announce the auction of the following surplus items on the PublicSurplus.com website: • 2 Snow Blowers • Handicap Accessible Dodge Grand Caravan • 2010 Polaris Sportsman ATV • 2002 Ford Windstar Van • 2001 Ford Windstar Van These items will be available for bidding starting on May 28, 2024 and ending on June 11, 2024 at 3:00 PM. Interested parties are encouraged to visit PublicSurplus.com to view detailed descriptions, photos, and terms and conditions for each item.

All items are sold as-is, where-is. Buyers are responsible for pickup or shipping.

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JUNE 6, 2024 PUBLIC HEARING & 2024-2025 BUDGET ADOPTION FOR LOA TOWN The Loa Town Council will amend the budget for 2022-23 fiscal year on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. at the Loa Town Hall at 80 West Center, in conjunction with its regularly scheduled town council meeting.

The town will also hold a public hearing for the 2024-25 fiscal year and adopt the budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, following the public hearing. If anyone would like to review the budget prior to this hearing and adoption, you may come to the Loa Town Hall, Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All public is welcome to attend this public hearing prior to the adoption. If you have any questions, contact Michelle Brian at 435-6162160.

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JUNE 6 & 13, 2024

The Insider

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Helitack Crew: Adding this helitack crew is the next

logical step in expanding our aviation capabilities within the Division.

This is our third contracted helicopter. Adding this aircraft and crew augments our heavy lift aircraft capabilities by getting boots on the ground quickly into inaccessible areas as well as the wildland-urban interface.—Mike Melton, Deputy State Fire Management Officer for Aviation Helitack Crew Cont'd from A1

into inaccessible areas as well as the wildland-urban interface.”

The helitack crew will be available during the summer and made up of eight wildland firefighters who will assist with initial attack—the first course of action taken by the first firefighters to aggressively extinguish the fire. This module will be stationed in Spanish Fork and be an available resource for the entire state.

Helitack crew members are highly skilled and qualified firefighters transported to wildfires by helicopter, enabling crews to respond quickly and engage an active fire. The aircraft can deliver crew members near a wildfire and improve response time during the initial at-

tack phase.

In anticipation of the active summer months, the state has contracted with Mountain West Helicopter in Provo, Utah, to provide the aircraft for the crew.

The Type 3 helicopter can also be fashioned with a water bucket to perform water drops to aid suppression efforts.

When not directly engaged in fire suppression, the aircraft can also transport equipment to the fire line and aid firefighting crews with logistical support.

Aircraft are critical tools in managing wildland fires. Although aircraft are often used to fight wildfires, aircraft alone cannot put them out. Firefighters rely on planes and helicopters to: • Deliver equipment and supplies.

• Transport firefighters.

• Provide reconnaissance of new fires, fire locations, and fire behavior.

• Drop fire retardant or water to slow a fire so firefighters can contain it.

The current contract will run for five years and provide the state with an aircraft for 120 days each year, which FFSL can extend if there is high fire activity in the state. The contract also states that the helicopter will stay in Utah and can’t be used out of state without prior approval from state officials.

The helitack crew became available this year to assist with fire suppression activities on May 20th.

The new helitack program will become an available resource on May 15th in years two through five of the contract.

—Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands

Intermountain Health: I’m beyond proud of

our entire team of caregivers who have put in the work to make this possible. This ranking is a tribute to their expertise and dedication to helping people live the healthiest lives possible.

—Rob Allen, president and CEO or Intermountain Health

Intermountain Health Cont'd from A1

work to make this possible,” said Rob Allen, president and CEO or Intermountain Health. “This ranking is a tribute to their expertise and dedication to helping people live the healthiest lives possible.”

Intermountain continues to be a national leader in healthcare thanks to its outstanding clinical outcomes, cutting-edge medical research to enhance patient care, telehealth capabilities to enhance access, and focus on preventive care and overall wellness.

One area of focus for Intermountain has been expansion of its telehealth programs to enhance access to patients across multiple states, especially those in rural communi-

ties.

The Intermountain Tele-oncology program, for example, gives people access to the best cancer care without having to travel far from their local communities. This is especially vital in rural areas where patients may have to drive hours for care and makes treatment more costly and stressful.

Intermountain is also using telehealth services to improve access to emergency specialty care for conditions including stroke and pediatrics. This is helping community hospitals and patients access expert diagnosis as quickly as possible while maintaining positive outcomes for patients.

Intermountain’s efforts have also brought a streamlined approach to ensure patients have access to the best medical care possible.

By adopting best practices

at all their hospitals and clinics it’s helping standardize high level of care in all the communities they serve.

The Fortune/PINC AI ranking is based off publicly available health data from 355 health systems across the country.

The study looked at eight performance indicators including clinical outcomes, inpatient mortality, average length of hospital stays, and overall patient experience.

The annual report aims to help guide health system’s performance initiatives and identify areas to improve by highlighting areas of success from top performers.

To see the full list of Fortune PINC AI 15 Top Health Systems, go to fortune.com.

—Intermountain Health

June 6, 2024

Oil & Gas Leases: As part of the settlement

agreement, the BLM completed a supplemental environmental assessment and public comment period. The remaining eight challenged leases were voluntarily relinquished by the lessee in October 2023.

Courtesy Bureau of Land Management

The Bureau of Land Management announced a decision on Thursday, May 30, to reaffirm 51 oil and gas leases in Emery County.

Oil & Gas Leases Cont'd from A1

The remaining eight challenged leases were volun-

tarily relinquished by the lessee in October 2023.

Please visit the BLM National NEPA Register to view the decision, environ-

Legal Notices

mental assessment, and for additional information and associated documents.

—Bureau of Land Management

The Insider

June 6, 2024

C l a s s i f i e d ads

B5

To place your ad, call 435-826-4400 or email snapshot@live.com

Classified ads start at just $7.50 per week for 25 words or less.

HELP WANTED

Full-time Dentist Escalante | Bicknell

Position: Full-time Dentist Location: Bicknell, UT / Escalante, UT Company: Wayne Community Health Center, Inc About us: Wayne Community Health Center is a reputable dental clinic committed to providing high-quality oral healthcare services to our community. We strive for excellence in patient care, utilizing the latest technology and techniques to ensure optimal dental health and satisfaction.

Bicknell, UT is situated in a picturesque valley surrounded by the stunning red rock formations and expansive desert landscapes characteristic of southern Utah. It is located along Utah State Route 24, providing convenient access to nearby national parks and outdoor recreational areas.

The landscape surrounding our clinic is nothing short of spectacular, with towering sandstone cliffs, colorful rock formations, and wide-open vistas stretching as far as the eye can see. We enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and mesas, providing ample opportunities for outdoor exploration and photography. Escalante, UT is a small town nestled in the heart of southern Utah, surrounded by stunning red rock landscapes and rugged wilderness. Located within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, it's a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers seeking to explore the natural wonders of the region. Whether you're an avid hiker, a nature photographer, or simply someone seeking solitude in the wilderness, Bicknell and Escalante provide a gateway to unforgettable adventures in one of the most beautiful and unspoiled corners of the United States.

Job Description: We are seeking a skilled and compassionate dentist to join our team, willing to relocate to our service area. The ideal candidate will be dedicated to providing exceptional patient care and possess excellent clinical skills. This position offers the opportunity to work in a facility alongside a supportive team of dental professionals.

Responsibilities: • Perform routine dental procedures such as cleanings, fillings, extractions, and root canals • Diagnose and treat dental issues in a timely and efficient manner • Educate patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and preventive dental care • Collaborate with other members of the dental team to ensure the best possible patient outcomes • Maintain accurate patient records and uphold high standards of confidentiality • Stay updated on advancements in dentistry and participate in continuing education opportunities Requirements: • Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from an accredited dental school • Valid state dental license in good standing • Proven experience in general dentistry, preferably in a clinical setting • Strong communication and interpersonal skills • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment • Dedication to providing compassionate care and building lasting relationships with patients Benefits: • Competitive salary commensurate with experience • Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, life insurance, retirement savings plan, with a 5% match, and paid time off • Disability insurance 50% covered • Malpractice insurance covered • Licensure and credentialing are covered • Opportunities for professional development and continuing education offered • Supportive work environment with a focus on work-life balance How to apply: If you are interested in joining our team, please submit your resume and cover letter to AmberLee Ellett, aellett@waynechc.org .

Wayne Community Health Center, inc is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We look forward to hearing from you!

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

We are looking for friendly, hardworking professionals who enjoy the hospitality industry and interaction with guests.

P O S I T I O N S AVA I L A B L E: Front Desk Agents Laundry Services Housekeepers Maintenance Bellmen Positions to start April 1st through October 31st At Capitol Reef Resort we promote from within.

Please stop by in person to complete an application.

We are located at 2600 E SR 24, Torrey, UT 84775 435-425-3761

FOR RENT For Rent Studio apt. 400 sq. ft., w/community fire pit, 209 E 100 South Bicknell, $750 per month.

Call Miguel @ 801-870-9381.

MEETINGS TROPIC AA MEETING Wednesday at 6 PM. Tropic Heritage Center. All meetings are closed discussion.

sudoku Answers for this week

Position Announcements

POSITIONS AVAILABLE: Garfield County School District is hiring for the following positions. For the application process and description of each, please see the district website www.garfk12.org

Substitute/Activity Bus Drivers Route Bus Driver in Boulder Paraprofessionals/Aides at All Schools Substitutes for Teachers, Custodians, and Food Service Workers SALARY: Please see 2023-2024 Garfield County School Districts Classified, District Office, and Certified Salary Schedules on the district website.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must be fingerprinted and satisfactorily pass an employment background check.

Garfield County School District is an equal opportunity employer.

Garfield County School District reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications.

Part- time Physical Therapy Front Desk Assistant Wayne Community Health Center is looking for a parttime Physical Therapy Front Desk Assistant.

The Physical Therapy duties will be checking patients in, insurance prior authorization, assisting setting up patients in the therapy rooms, laundry and cleaning of patient areas.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are the Physical Therapy Office Days. Hours a week will roughly be 12-16 hours.

We are looking for someone task oriented, a team player and have excellent customer service. Prorated sick and vacation pay, as well as holiday pay.

Please email resume to AmberLee Ellett at, aellett@waynechc.org.

FOR SALE

For Sale

SENIOR CENTER MENUS Bryce Valley Senior Lunches at the BRYCE VALLEY Senior Center TUES June 11th

Cheeseburger w/ Tomato & Lettuce, French Fries, Baked Beans, Mandarin Oranges, Peanut Butter Fingers

WED June 12th

Chicken Fried Steak, Potatoes & Gravy, Mixed Vegetables, Salad Bar, Peaches, Cake

THURS June 13th

Deli Sandwich, Meat, Cheese, Veggies, Potato Chips, Banana, No Bake Cookie

Call by 10:00 A.M. if you want a lunch or need a ride. 679-8666 All meals are served with milk & bread. Suggested donation is $4 for seniors and $10 for those under 60 years of age.

Escalante Senior Citizens Menu Tues.

June 11th

Ham, Mac and Cheese, Salad Bar, Bread, Peaches, Rocky Road Brownies

Wed. June 12th

Meatloaf, Baked Potato, Salad Bar, Green Beans, Jell-O with Fruit, Spring Dessert

Thurs.

June 13th

Hot Turkey Sandwich, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Carrots, Salad Bar, Mandarin Oranges, Pineapple Cookies

All meals are served with milk or juice. If you would like a meal, please call us by 10:00 am. 826-4317. Suggested donation for seniors over 60 is $4.00, and under 60 is $10.00

John Deere Swather for sale, excellent condition.

Located in Grover, UT. Call or text for info or to come check it out. $6,500.

435-817-8494

ISO HOUSING

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The Insider

June 6, 2024

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